Setting information transmission/reception system

ABSTRACT

When a setting relating to the print quality of a printer  3  is changed (T 601 ), sending of ssdp:byebye to PCs  2  (T 603 ) and time measurement by a timer  37  (T 605 ) are executed. Then, after the elapse of 30 seconds from the start of time measurement by the timer  37,  ssdp:alive is sent to the PCs  2  (T 615 ). Even if a paper size related setting change (T 607 ) or multiple page printing (condensed printing) setting change (T 609 ) is made during this 30-second interval, ssdp:alive is not sent to the PCs  2  for those changes executed during the 30-second interval.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a setting informationtransmission/reception system that transmits information of settings ofa transmitter to a receiver, and to the transmitter and the receiver.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] In recent years a mode has become widely used in which aplurality of network terminal devices are connected to a network, andnetwork terminal devices are used in a mutually cooperative fashion.When a plurality of network terminal devices are connected to a networkand used cooperatively in this way, it is necessary for settinginformation relating to one cooperatively-used network terminal deviceto be transmitted to another network terminal device, and for that othernetwork terminal device to recognize settings relating to that firstnetwork terminal device. The reason for this is that, if settingsrelating to one network terminal device are not recognized by anothernetwork terminal device, a setting discrepancy will occur between thetwo, causing a problem when they are used cooperatively.

[0005] The conventional procedure for having setting informationrelating to one network terminal device recognized by another networkterminal device will now be described. The following description takesthe example of a network that uses Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), whichis one kind of network technology. Special features of UPnP are that anetwork terminal device can join or leave a network while that networkterminal device's power is on (a facility known as “hot-plug”), and thatspecial driver software is not necessary and UPnP is not dependent onthe kind of OS (operating system) started up on network terminaldevices. UPnP is thus known as a technology that offers outstanding easeof connection to a network.

[0006]FIG. 1 shows a timing chart when printer setting information for aprinter that is a UPnP device is transmitted from the printer to apersonal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) in which a UPnPcontrol point that manages and controls UPnP devices has been activated.Here, an example is described in which the user changes default settingsrelating to printer print quality (Print Quality), paper size (MediaSize), and multiple page printing (Number Up: 2-in-1, 4-in-1, or similarfacilities for printing a plurality of pages in condensed form on asingle sheet of paper) consecutively at 10-second intervals.

[0007] First, when a default setting relating to printer print qualityis changed by a user—for example, changing from low quality (such as 300dpi) to medium quality (such as 600 dpi) (T1401)—the printer, which is aUPnP device, sends ssdp:byebye (ssdp=Simple Service Discovery Protocol)to a UPnP control point (here and hereinafter a PC) connected to thenetwork (T1403). This ssdp:byebye informs the UPnP control pointconnected to the network that the printer has left the network. Morespecifically, because a change has been made in the printer settings,there is a discrepancy between the printer settings after the change andthe pre-change printer settings recognized by the PC. Accordingly, theprinter reports that the printer is temporarily leaving the network.

[0008] After performing a reset operation (T1405), the printer executesinitialization and generation of Description (XML (Extensible MarkupLanguage) data indicative of setting information, etc. of the subjectprinter) (T1407) in order to provide the PC with the Description inwhich the above-described change contents are reflected.

[0009] The printer then sends ssdp:alive to the PCs connected to thenetwork (T1409). This ssdp:alive is to inform UPnP control point PCsthat the printer has joined the network.

[0010] When a PC receives this ssdp:alive, the PC sends to the printerthat has sent ssdp:alive an HTTP GET command requesting transmission ofa Description indicative of information of the settings of that printer(T1411). In response to this, the printer transmits to the PC aDescription showing information of the newly-changed setting (T1413). Byreceiving this Description, the PC can recognize the new printer setting(default print quality setting medium quality).

[0011] It is noted that when a UPnP control point that receivesssdp:alive sends an HTTP GET command to a UPnP device, the UPnP devicesends back a Device Description containing the device information of theUPnP device. Then, when the UPnP control point again sends an HTTP GETcommand based on a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that is included inthe Device Description, the UPnP device sends back a Service Descriptioncontaining setting information of the UPnP device. Essentially, the UPnPcontrol point can recognize the settings of the UPnP device (printersettings) only when the UPnP control point obtains this ServiceDescription. However, for the sake of simplicity, acquisition of theDevice Description and acquisition of Service Description will beregarded as a single operation (acquisition of the Description) in thefollowing description.

[0012] The above-described exchange of data is executed each time asetting is changed. Therefore, the same processing (T1417 through T1427,T1431 through T1441) is also executed for a paper size-related defaultsetting change (T1415) made 10 seconds after the print quality defaultsetting is changed, and a multiple page-related default setting change(T1429) made 10 seconds after the paper size default setting is changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] However, in the above-described conventional setting informationtransmission/reception system, since printer setting information(Description in FIG. 1) is transmitted to a PC (T1413, T1427, T1441)each time a printer setting is changed (T1401, T1415, T1429), a loadproportional to the number of setting changes is imposed on the network.

[0014] It is an objective of the present invention to overcome theabove-described problem by providing an improved setting informationtransmission/reception system, transmitter, and receiver that make itpossible to reduce the load imposed on a network when one networkterminal device is made to recognize setting change contents relating toanother network terminal device in a network in which these networkterminal devices are connected.

[0015] In order to attain the above and other objects, the presentinvention provides a transmitter connectable with a network, thetransmitter comprising: a storage portion storing setting-information;an instruction receiving portion capable of receiving a setting-changeinstruction indicative of a setting-change; an instruction-groupspecifying portion specifying, as an instruction group, at least onesuccessive setting-change instruction, which is received by theinstruction receiving portion successively and which is indicative of atleast one setting-change: a setting-information updating portionsuccessively updating the setting information in the storage portionbased on the at least one successive setting-change in the instructiongroup, to thereby obtain final setting-information; and a transmissionportion transmitting, via a network to a receiver, a set offinal-setting-data indicative of the final setting-information after thefinal setting-information is obtained.

[0016] According to another aspect, the present invention provides asetting information transmission/reception system, comprising: atransmitter connectable with a network, the transmitter including: astorage portion storing setting-information; an instruction receivingportion capable of receiving a setting-change instruction indicative ofa setting-change; an instruction-group specifying portion specifying, asan instruction group, at least one successive setting-changeinstruction, which is received by the instruction receiving portionsuccessively and which is indicative of at least one setting-change; asetting-information updating portion successively updating the settinginformation in the storage portion based on the at least one successivesetting-change in the instruction group, to thereby obtain finalsetting-information; and a transmission portion transmitting, via anetwork to a receiver, a set of final-setting-data indicative of thefinal setting-information after the final setting-information isobtained; and the receiver that is connected to the network and thatreceives the set of final-setting-data from the transmitter via thenetwork.

[0017] According to another aspect, the present invention provides asetting information transmission/reception system, comprising: atransmitter that is connectable to a network and that transmits to areceiver via the network setting information specifying thetransmitter's own settings, the transmitter including: a changingportion changing a setting of the transmitter; an out-of-perioddetermining portion determining whether or not a setting has beenchanged by said changing portion; a time measurement portion startingtime measurement when the out-of-period determining portion determinesthat a setting has been changed; a within-period determining portiondetermining whether or not a further setting change has been performedby said changing portion within a predetermined period from the start ofthe time measurement; an updating portion updating setting informationwhen the within-period determining portion determines that a furthersetting change has been performed; and a transmitting portiontransmitting the setting information to the receiver when it isdetermined that the predetermined period has elapsed based on the timemeasurement by the time measurement portion; and the receiver that isconnected to the network and that receives the setting informationtransmitted from the transmitter, the receiver including a receivingportion receiving the setting information transmitted from thetransmitting portion.

[0018] According to another aspect, the present invention provides atransmitter connectable to a network for transmitting to a receiver viathe network setting information specifying the transmitter's ownsettings, the transmitter comprising: a changing portion changing asetting of the transmitter; an out-of-period determining portiondetermining whether or not a setting has been changed by said changingportion; a time measurement portion starting time measurement when theout-of-period determining portion determines that a setting has beenchanged; a within-period determining portion determining whether or nota further setting change has been performed by said changing portionwithin a predetermined period from the start of the time measurement; anupdating portion updating setting information when the within-perioddetermining portion determines that a further setting change has beenperformed; and a transmitting portion transmitting the settinginformation to a receiver when it is determined that the predeterminedperiod has elapsed based on the time measurement by the time measurementportion.

[0019] According to another aspect, the present invention provides asetting information transmission/reception system, comprising: atransmitter that is connectable to a network and that transmits to areceiver via the network setting information specifying thetransmitter's own settings, the transmitter including: a changingportion changing a setting of the transmitter; a notifying portionperforming notification to a receiver when the setting is changed by thechanging, portion; and a transmitting portion transmitting informationof the setting upon receipt of the request from the receiver; and areceiver that is connected to the network and that receives the settinginformation transmitted from the transmitter, the receiver including: anout-of-period determining portion determining whether or notnotification has been received from the notifying portion; a timemeasurement portion starting time measurement when the out-of-perioddetermining portion determines that notification has been received; awithin-period determining portion determining whether or not a furthernotification has been performed from the notifying portion within apredetermined period from the start of the time measurement; arequesting portion requesting the transmitter to transmit the settinginformation when the predetermined period has elapsed based on timemeasurement by the time measurement portion; a request control portioncontrolling the requesting portion to fail to request the transmitter inresponse to the further notification; and a receiving portion receivingthe setting information transmitted from the transmitting portion.

[0020] According to another aspect, the present invention provides areceiver connected to a network for receiving setting information from atransmitter via the network, the receiver comprising: an out-of-perioddetermining portion determining whether or not notification has beenreceived from a transmitter via a network; a time measurement portionstarting time measurement when the out-of-period determining portiondetermines that notification has been received; a within-perioddetermining portion determining whether or not a further notificationhas been performed from the transmitter within a predetermined periodfrom the start of the time measurement; a requesting portion requestingthe transmitter to transmit setting information of the transmitter whenthe predetermined period has elapsed based on time measurement by thetime measurement portion; a request control portion controlling therequesting portion to fail to request the transmitter in response to thefurther notification; and a receiving portion receiving the settinginformation transmitted from the transmitting portion.

[0021] According to another aspect, the present invention provides atransmission program to be executed by a computer to operate as atransmitter connectable to a network for transmitting to a receiver viathe network setting information specifying the transmitter's ownsettings, the transmission program comprising: a changing programchanging a setting of the transmitter; an out-of-period determiningprogram determining whether or not a setting has been changed by saidchanging portion; a time measurement program starting time measurementwhen the out-of-period determining program determines that a setting hasbeen changed; a within-period determining program determining whether ornot a further setting change has been performed by the changing programwithin a predetermined period from the start of the time measurement; anupdating program updating setting information when the within-perioddetermining program determines that a further setting change has beenperformed; and a transmitting program transmitting the settinginformation to a receiver when it is determined that the predeterminedperiod has elapsed based on the time measurement by the time measurementprogram.

[0022] According to another aspect, the present invention provides areception program to be executed by a computer to operate as a receiverconnected to a network for receiving setting information from atransmitter via the network, the reception program comprising: anout-of-period determining program determining whether or notnotification has been received from a transmitter via a network; a timemeasurement program starting time measurement when the out-of-perioddetermining program determines that notification has been received; awithin-period determining program determining whether or not a furthernotification has been performed from the transmitter within apredetermined period from the start of the time measurement a requestingprogram requesting the transmitter to transmit setting information ofthe transmitter when the predetermined period has elapsed based on timemeasurement by the time measurement program; a is request controlprogram controlling the requesting program to fail to request thetransmitter in response to the further notification; and a receivingprogram receiving the setting information transmitted from thetransmitting program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will become more apparent from reading the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 is a timing chart showing conventional printer-PC datatransmission/reception timing;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a networkaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a printer setting screen according tothe first embodiment;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing notification processing according toa first embodiment;

[0028]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing Description request processingaccording to the first embodiment;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing response processing according to thefirst embodiment;

[0030]FIG. 7(A) is a timing chart showing printer-PC datatransmission/reception timing according to the first embodiment;

[0031]FIG. 7(B) is a timing chart showing printer-directory server datatransmission/reception timing according to a modification of the firstembodiment;

[0032]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing notification processing according toa second embodiment;

[0033]FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing printer-PC datatransmission/reception timing according to the second embodiment;

[0034]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing notification processing accordingto a third embodiment;

[0035]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing Description request processingaccording to the third embodiment;

[0036]FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing printer-PC datatransmission/reception timing according to the third embodiment;

[0037]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing Description request processingaccording to a fourth embodiment;

[0038]FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing printer-PC datatransmission/reception timing according to the fourth embodiment;

[0039]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing management tool processingaccording to a fifth embodiment;

[0040]FIG. 16(A) shows a network setting page NP displayed on a display26;

[0041]FIG. 16(B) shows a printing setting page PP displayed on a display26;

[0042]FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing notification processing accordingto the fifth embodiment;

[0043]FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing printer-PC datatransmission/reception timing according to the fifth embodiment;

[0044]FIG. 19 shows a hierarchy structure of a key menu provided by anoperating section of a printer; and

[0045]FIG. 20 shows the operating section of the printer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] A setting information transmission/reception system according topreferred embodiments of the present invention will be described whilereferring to the accompanying drawings wherein like parts and componentsare designated by the same reference numerals to avoid duplicatingdescription.

First Embodiment

[0047] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed while referring to FIG. 2 through FIG. 7(B).

[0048]FIG. 2 is a network configuration diagram relating to a LAN (LocalArea Network) to which a setting information transmission/receptionsystem according to the present embodiment is applied.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of PCs (personal computers) 2 (2a through 2 d), a plurality of printers 3 (3 a and 3 b), and a directoryserver 4 are connected to a network 1 according to this embodiment Thesenetwork terminal devices (PCs 2, printers 3, and directory server 4) canbe used cooperatively based on UPnP technology.

[0050] In the following description, the PCs 2 serve as so-called UPnPcontrol points that function as controllers capable of detecting andcontrolling other network terminal devices (printers 3, in this example)in the network 1, and serve as “receivers”. The printers 3 serve asso-called UPnP devices that are detected and controlled by the UpnPcontrol points, and serve as “transmitters”. Also, the directory server4 is a server that manages the network terminal devices 2 and 3connected to the network 1 by recording and updating device informationfor the network terminal devices, and also serves as a “receiver”.

[0051] It is noted that in an actual UPnP network environment, one PC 2may function as a UPnP control point while the other PC 2 functions as aUPnP device, and one printer 3 may function as a UPnP control pointwhile the other printer 3 functions as a UPnP device. Here, however, itis assumed for the sake of simplicity that printers 3 always function asUPnP devices, and PCs 2 always function as UPnP control points forprinters 3.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, each PC 2 includes: a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit) 21, ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, HDD(Hard Disk Drive) 24, operating section 25, display section 26, timer27, and network interface (I/F) 28. All the PCs 2 (2 a through 2 d) havethe same configuration.

[0053] In each PC 2, the CPU 21 performs overall control and managementof the components constituting the PC 2 based on various programs storedin the ROM 22 and HDD 24. The ROM 22 is a nonvolatile read-only storagemedium that stores various programs to be executed by the CPU 21. TheRAM 23 is a volatile readable/writable storage medium that temporarilystores results of processing by the CPU 21, a program downloaded fromthe ROM 22 or HDD 24, and so forth. The HDD 24 includes: a nonvolatilereadable/writable storage medium; and a read/write device for thatstorage medium. The HDD 24 stores: various programs to be executed bythe CPU 21, printer setting information transmitted from a printer 3,and so forth. The operating section 25 is an input device such as akeyboard and a mouse that convey user commands to the CPU 21. Thedisplay section 26 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal-Display) or the like,and informs a user of CPU 21 processing results by displaying thoseresults. The timer 27 performs time measurement processing based oncommands from the CPU 21. The network interface 28 controls datatransmission and reception to and from the network 1.

[0054] For example, the CPU 21 acquires a Web page (HTML data) 34 b(described later) via the network interface 28 from some printer 3, andperforms processing to display the Web page 34 b on the display section26. When a user operates the operating section 25 while viewing the Webpage to designate his/her desire to change the default setting of theprinter 3, for example, the CPU 21 transmits a command (a printerdefault setting change command) to the printer 3 via the networkinterface 28.

[0055] Each printer 3 includes: a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, NVRAM (NonVolatile RAM) 34, operating section 35, display section 36, timer 37,network interface 38, and printing section 39. All the printers 3 a and3 b both have the same configuration.

[0056] In each printer 3, the CPU 31 performs overall control andmanagement of the components constituting the printer 3 based on variousprograms stored in the ROM 32 and N 34. For example, the CPU 31 receivesprint data transmitted from a PC 2 via the network interface 38 andexecutes processing to control the printing section 39 to executeprinting based on the received print data. The CPU 31 can also functionas a Web server that executes a program stored in the NVRAM 34 andprovides a Web page 34 b stored in the NVRAM 34 (to be described later)to PCs 2.

[0057] The ROM 32 is a nonvolatile read-only storage medium that storesvarious programs to be executed by the CPU 31. The RAM 33 is a volatilereadable/writable storage medium that temporarily stores results ofprocessing by the CPU 31, a program downloaded from the ROM 32 or NVRAM34, and so forth. The operating section 35 is a key-switch type inputdevice that conveys user commands to the CPU 31. The display section 36includes an LCD or the like, and informs a user of CPU 31 processingresults by displaying those results. The timer 37 performs timemeasurement processing based on commands from the CPU 31. The networkinterface 38 controls data transmission and reception to and from thenetwork 1. The printing section 39 prints print data transmitted fromPCs 2. The printing section 39 is, for example, an electrophotographicimage forming section provided with a photosensitive drum and laserscanner.

[0058] The NVRAM 34 is a nonvolatile readable/writable storage mediumthat stores various programs to be executed by the CPU 31. The NVRAM 34also stores: a setting information table 34 a holding various kinds ofprinter setting information in tabular form; and a Web page 34 b writtenby HTML data. The printer setting information is setting information ofthe subject printer 3. Examples of the printer setting informationinclude: network settings, and printing settings (default settings).Examples of the network settings: include settings of IP address,sub-net mask, and gateway address. Examples of the printing settingsinclude: default settings of paper size, number of copies, printquality, enlargement/reduction ratio, multiple page function, boundaryline when using the multiple page function, color/monochrome, and thelike. A user can set these settings by operating the operating section35. The user can also set these settings remotely by controlling some PC2 to display the Web page 34 b on the display section 26 of the subjectPC 2 and by manipulating the operating section 25 of the PC 2.

[0059] The directory server 4 includes: a CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, HDD44, and network interface 48. The CPU 41 performs overall control andmanagement of the components constituting the directory server 4 basedon various programs stored in the ROM 42 and HDD 44. For example, theCPU 41 receives device information (device name and setting information)transmitted from printers 3 via the network interface 48 and providesPCs 2 and the like with a directory service based on the received deviceinformation. The ROM 42 is a nonvolatile read-only storage medium thatstores various programs to be executed by the CPU 41. The RAM 43 is avolatile readable/writable storage medium that temporarily storesresults of processing by the CPU 41, a program downloaded from the ROM42 or HDD 44, and so forth. The HDD 44 is a nonvolatilereadable/writable storage medium that stores various programs to beexecuted by the CPU 41, as well as device information and the liketransmitted from printers 3 and the like. The network interface 48controls data transmission and reception to and from the network 1.

[0060] Next, the method of changing printer settings of a printer 3 willbe described while referring to FIG. 3.

[0061]FIG. 3 shows an example of a setting screen for setting theprinter setting information of each printer 3. This setting screen is adisplay result of a Web page 34 b, which is stored in the NVRAM 34 of acorresponding printer 3 and which is supplied to one PC 2 and displayedon the display section 26 of the subject PC 2. While viewing the settingscreen, the PC 2 user can change each item displayed on the settingscreen to his/her desired setting by manipulating the operating section25.

[0062] As shown in the figure, this setting screen allows three broadkinds of settings to be made: “Paper/Output”, “Graphics”, and “Layout”.Under the “Paper/Output” heading, the “Paper Size” item allows theprinting paper size to be selected from options A4, B5, A5, B6, and A6,while the “Number of Copies” item allows setting of the number of copiesof print data to be printed when the print data is received from the PC2 (in the figure, “A4” is specified for “Paper Size”, and “1” for“Number of Copies”). Under the “Graphics” heading, the “Print Quality”item allows setting of the print quality for output of print datareceived from the PC 2, while the “Enlargement/Reduction” item allowssetting of an enlargement/reduction ratio (as a percentage) for printdata received from the PC 2 (in the figure, “Low” is specified for“Print Quality”, and “100%” for “Enlargement/Reduction”). Under the“Layout” heading, the “Multiple Pages” item allows setting of the numberof pages of print data received from the PC 2 to be condensed into asingle sheet of paper, while the “Boundary Line” item allows setting ofwhether or not a boundary line is to be printed between adjacent pagesin condensed printing, and what kind of boundary line is to be printed(in the figure, “2-in-1” is specified for “Multiple Pages” and “Solid”for “Boundary Line”.

[0063] Three buttons—“OK”, “Cancel”, and “Apply”—are provided at thebottom of this setting screen. When the “OK” button is selected usingthe operating section 25, all the settings shown in FIG. 3 are assumedto be finalized, the setting contents are notified to the printer 3, andsetting information stored in the setting information table 34 a in theNVRAM 34 is updated. Also, when this “OK” button is selected, settingchanges made by the user are assumed to have been completed, and thissetting screen is closed. If, on the other hand, the “Cancel” button isselected using the operating section 25, even if changes have been madeto items in the setting screen, the setting screen is closed withoutthose changes being notified to the printer 3. If the “Apply” button isselected using the operating section 25, setting contents at that pointare notified to the printer 3 and setting information stored in thesetting information table 34 a in the NVRAM 34 is updated, in the sameway as when the “OK” button is selected. However, when the “Apply”button is selected, it is assumed that further setting changes are to bemade by the user, and therefore the setting screen is not closed butcontinues to be displayed. The setting screen shown in FIG. 3 has beendescribed as being displayed on the display section 26 of a PC 2 andbeing manipulated by the user using the operating section 25 of the PC2, but the same kind of processing may be performed using the operatingsection 35 and display section 36 of the printer 3, per se.

[0064] Printer settings made according to the above-described processingare stored as new printer default settings in the setting informationtable 34 a of the NVRAM 34, and the settings stored in this settinginformation table 34 a will be used when power is turned on again. Also,when a default setting of “Print Quality”=Low is set for printer 3 a,for example, printing will be executed at low quality unless a PC 2 (2a, 2 b, 2 c, Or 2 d) that transmits print data to this printer 3 aspecifies a desired “Print Quality” when issuing a print command.

[0065] According to the present embodiment, the contents of the settingchanges made for a printer 3 are transmitted to a PC 2 in a manner asdescribed below with referring to FIG. 4 through FIG. 6.

[0066]FIG. 4 shows the operation of each printer 3 when its CPU 31executes a notification program stored in the NVRAM 34 of the printer 3.FIG. 6 shows the operation of each printer 3 when its CPU 31 executes aresponse program stored in the NVRAM 34 of the printer 3. The processesof FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 are each executed independently at predeterminedintervals. FIG. 5 shows the operation of each PC 2 when its CPU 21executes a description request program stored in the HDD 24 of the PC 2.The processing of FIG. 5 is executed at predetermined intervals.

[0067] By executing the processing of FIG. 4, each printer 3 can performnotification to PCs 2 when printer settings of the printer 3 arechanged. By executing the processing of FIG. 5, each PC 2 can request,upon receipt of the notification from some printer 3, the subjectprinter 3 to send the PC 2 a Description (XML (Extensible MarkupLanguage) data) that contains information of the printer settings thatis written according to an XML format. By executing the processing ofFIG. 6, the printer 3 can respond to the PC 2 upon receipt of therequest from the subject PC 2.

[0068] First, notification processing executed by the CPU 31 of eachprinter 3 will be described while referring to FIG. 4.

[0069] When this notification processing is started, it is first judgedin S301 whether or not a printer setting for the subject printer 3 hasbeen changed. More specifically, it is judged whether or not a printersetting has been changed by user manipulation of the operating section25 of some PC 2 or the operating section 35 of the subject printer 3. Ifit is determined that there is no printer setting change (S301; NO), thenotification processing is terminated.

[0070] If, on the other hand, it is determined in S301 that there is aprinter setting change (S301: YES), a printer setting is changed in S303in accordance with the user's designated setting changes. Morespecifically, information in the setting information table 34 a isupdated based on a new setting designated by the user.

[0071] Then, after the S303 processing has been performed, a signal ofssdp:byebye is broadcasted in S305 to the PCs 2 (2 a through 2 d (UPnPcontrol points)) that are connected to the network 1, thereby givingnotification that the subject printer 3 is leaving the network 1. Theconnection of the printer 3 to the network 1 via the interface 38 isdisconnected.

[0072] After the S305 processing has been performed, the CPU 31 issuesin S307 a command to the timer 37 to start time measurement. As aresult, the timer 37 starts time measurement in response to thiscommand.

[0073] Then, when the S307 processing has been performed, it is nextjudged in S309, based on the time measurement result by the timer 37,whether or not thirty (30) seconds have elapsed since the timemeasurement was started.

[0074] If it is determined that 30 seconds have not yet elapsed sincetime measurement was started (S309: NO), the processing flow proceeds toS311. On the other hand, if it is determined that 30 seconds haveelapsed since time measurement was started (S309: YES), the processingflow proceeds to S315.

[0075] In S311, it is judged whether or not there is another printersetting change. In S311, the same processing as in S301 is executed.That is to say, it is determined whether or not a further setting changehas been designated by the user while 30 seconds have not yet elapsedsince time measurement was started (S309: NO). If it is determined inS311 that there is a further printer setting change (S311: YES), thesame processing as in S303 is performed. That is, information in thesetting information table 34 a is updated (S313). Then, the processingflow returns to S309, If it is determined in S311 that there is noprinter setting is change (S311: NO), the processing flow returnsdirectly to S309.

[0076] If, on the other hand, it is determined in S309 that 30 secondshave elapsed since time measurement was started (S309: YES), a printerreset processing is performed (S315), and the processing flow proceedsto S317.

[0077] In S317, processing is performed to initialize the Description,thereby deleting the Description that contains information of theprinter settings prior to the setting change(s) newly executed by S301or S311, and to generate a new Description based on the contents of thesetting information table 34 a newly updated by S303 or S313 processing.More specifically, a Description is generated that reflects the settingsfor paper size, print quality, etc., newly set in the printer settingscreen shown in FIG. 3.

[0078] Then, after the S317 processing has been performed, a signalssdp:alive is broadcasted in S319 to the PCs 2 (2 a through 2 d/UPnPcontrol points) that are connected to the network 1, thereby givingnotification that the subject printer 3 has just joined the network 1,and the notification processing is terminated. The printer 3 is broughtback into connection with the network 1 via the interface 38 again.

[0079] Next, a Description request processing executed by the CPU 21 ofeach PC 2 will be described while referring to FIG. 5.

[0080] When this Description request processing is started, it is firstjudged in S401 whether or not a signal ssdp;alive has been received fromany printer 3. If it is determined that ssdp:alive has not been received(S401: NO), the Description request processing is terminated directly.If, on the other hand, it is determined that ssdp:alive has beenreceived from some printer 3 (S401: YES), the processing flow proceedsto S403.

[0081] In S403, based on the ssdp:alive, processing is performed torequest the printer 3 that has sent ssdp:alive to send a Descriptioncontaining setting information of the subject printer 3. Because theDescription is written by using XML data, the PC 2 sends an HTTP GETcommand to the printer 3 to request the subject printer 3 to send XMLDescription data back to the PC 2.

[0082] Next, response processing executed by the CPU 31 of each printer3 will be described while referring to FIG. 6.

[0083] When this response processing is started, it is first judged inS501 whether or not any HTTP GET command has been received from any PC2. If it is determined that an HTTP GET command has not been received(S501: NO), the response processing is terminated.

[0084] If, on the other hand, it is determined that an HTTP GET commandhas been received (S501: YES), it is judged in S503 whether or not thereceived HTTP GET command requests a Description for the printer. Morespecifically, it is judged whether or not the HTTP GET command is anHTTP GET command that has been sent in S403 from some PC 2 during theabove-described Description request processing (FIG. 5).

[0085] If it is determined in S503 that the HTTP GET command requests aprinter-related Description (S503: YES), the processing flow proceeds toS505. If, on the other hand, it is determined that the HTTP GET commanddoes not request a printer-related Description (S503; NO), theprocessing flow proceeds to S507.

[0086] In S505, the Description generated in S317 of the notificationprocessing (FIG. 4) is sent to the PC 2 that has requested by the HTTPGET command, and the response processing is terminated.

[0087] In S507, on the other hand, processing in accordance with thereceived HTTP GET command is performed. For example, processing isexecuted to send a Web page 34 b stored in the NVRAM 34 of the subjectprinter 3 to the PC 2 that has sent the HTTP GET command. Then, theresponse processing is terminated.

[0088] While referring to the timing chart shown in FIG. 7(A), next willbe described sample operations when the above-described processings inFIG. 4 through FIG. 6 are actually carried out. It is now assumed that auser consecutively changes the default settings of one printer 3 for itsprint quality, paper size, and multiple page printing, at ten-secondintervals.

[0089] First, when the default setting for print quality is changed bythe user, such as a change from low quality to medium quality, forexample, (T601, corresponding to S301: YES in FIG. 4), information inthe setting information table 34 a is updated (corresponding to S303 inFIG. 4), and then ssdp:byebye is sent to PCs 2 (T603, corresponding toS305 in FIG. 4).

[0090] After ssdp:byebye is sent, time measurement by the timer 37 isstarted (T605, corresponding to S307 in FIG. 4). In this example, achange in the paper size default setting (T607, corresponding to S311:YES in FIG. 4) and a change in the multiple page printing (condensedprinting) default setting (T609, corresponding to S311: YES in FIG. 4)are made before the elapse of 30 seconds from the start of timemeasurement by the timer 37. Accordingly, information in the settinginformation table 34 a is updated successively at the timings of therespective setting changes (corresponding to S313 in FIG. 4).

[0091] Then, when 30 seconds have elapsed since time measurement by thetimer 37 was started (corresponding to S309: YES in FIG. 4), a printerreset operation (T611, corresponding to S315 in FIG. 4) and Descriptioninitialization/generation operation (T613, corresponding to S317 in FIG.4) are executed. Then, ssdp:alive is sent to the PCs 2 (T615,corresponding to S319 in FIG. 4).

[0092] When the PC 2 receives this ssdp:alive (corresponding to S401:YES in FIG. 5), the PC 2 sends to the printer 3 a Descriptiontransmission request in the form of an HTTP GET command (T617,corresponding to S403 in FIG. 5). Upon receipt of the request, theprinter 3 sends a Description, and the PC 2 acquires the Description(T619, corresponding to S501: YES, S503: YES, and S505 in FIG. 6).

[0093] As described above, according to the setting informationtransmission/reception system of the first embodiment, the printer 3determines whether or not a printer setting has been changed by the PCoperating section 25 or printer operating section 35. When some printersetting has been changed, on the basis of the printer setting change(corresponding to S301: YES in FIG. 4, T601 in FIG. 7(A)), timemeasurement by timer 37 is started (corresponding to S307 in FIG. 4,T605 in FIG. 7(A)). Then, when it is confirmed by the timer 37 that apredetermined period has elapsed (corresponding to S309: YES in FIG. 4),ssdp:alive is sent to the PCs 2 (corresponding to S319 in FIG. 4, T615in FIG. 7(A)).

[0094] The printer 3 further determines whether or not a further printersetting change has been made within the predetermined period (S309: NO)(corresponding to S311 in FIG. 4). Each time it is determined that afurther setting change has been made (corresponding to S311: YES in FIG.4, T607 and T609 in FIG. 7(A)), the setting information table 34 a isupdated (corresponding to S313 in FIG. 4).

[0095] Upon receipt of ssdp:alive (corresponding to S401: YES in FIG.5), the PC 2 requests the subject printer 3 Description transmission bysending an HTTF GET command to the subject printer 3 (corresponding toS403 in FIG. 5, T617 in FIG. 7(A)).

[0096] Upon receiving this HTTP GET command (corresponding to S501: YES,S503: YES in FIG. 6), the printer 3 performs Description transmission tothe PC 2 that has requested (corresponding to S505 in FIG. 6, T619 inFIG. 7(A)), and the PC 2 receives this description via the networkinterface 28.

[0097] In this way, when a setting relating to the print quality of theprinter 3 is changed (T601), sending of ssdp:byebye to PCs 2 (T603) andtime measurement by the timer 37 (T605) are executed. Then, after theelapse of 30 seconds from the start of time measurement by the timer 37,ssdp:alive is sent to the PCs 2 (T615). Even if a paper size relatedsetting change (T607) or multiple page printing (condensed printing)setting change (T609) is made during this 30-second interval, ssdp:aliveis not sent to the PCs 2 for those changes executed during the 30-secondinterval.

[0098] Thus, when several additional setting changes are performedsuccessively within the predetermined period after a first printersetting has been changed, notifications to PCs 2 are partially omittedbut notifications are combined together into one and notification issent to PCs 2 only once. Accordingly, notification is no longer sent toPCs 2 each time a printer setting is changed.

[0099] Also, through the omission of such notifications, settinginformation transmission requests from a PC 2 to a printer 3 executed onthe basis of these notifications, and setting information transmissionsfrom a printer 3 to a PC 2 executed on the basis of these transmissionrequests, are also effectively curtailed. By collecting togethernotifications for setting changes acknowledged within the short period,and by omitting some notifications, it is possible to reduce the load onthe network 1. When there are a plurality of UPnP control points in thenetwork 1, in particular, the load imposed on the network 1 may bemultiplied by the number of those UPnP control points, and thus theeffect of omitting notifications as described above is especiallyevident.

[0100] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when aprinter setting (transmitter setting) is changed, it is determined thata transmitter-related setting has been changed. When it is determinedthat a transmitter related setting has been changed, time measurement isstarted. Then, when a predetermined period has elapsed based on timemeasurement, the transmitter sends notification to PCs (receivers). Onreceiving this notification, the PC (receiver) requests the printer(transmitter) to transmit setting information, and on receiving thisrequest, the transmitter transmits setting information. If it isdetermined that a further setting change has been made within thepredetermined period, setting information to be transmitted to thereceiver is updated.

[0101] Accordingly, notifications are not sent to the PCs (receivers)independently for the first transmitter-related setting change and thefurther setting change(s) made within the predetermined period after thefirst change, and thus the amount of data sending on the network can bedecreased, and the load imposed on the network can assuredly be reduced.

[0102] According to the present embodiment, the printer (transmitter)leaves the network by being disconnected from the network when a settingchange is occurred, and joins the network by being connected to thenetwork when notification is sent to the PCs.

[0103] In this way, the setting information transmission/receptionsystem of the present embodiment can be applied to a general networkenvironment, in which transmitters leave the network on the basis of asetting change, and joins the network when notification is performed.

[0104] <Modification>

[0105] In the above-described first embodiment, a Description requestfrom a PC 2 to a printer 3 (T617 in FIG. 7(A)) is issued when the PC 2receives ssdp:alive from the printer 3 (T615 in FIG. 7(A)), and theprinter 3 transmits a Description to the PC 2 in response to thisrequest (T619 in FIG. 7(A)). However, this is not a limitation, and aconfiguration may also be used whereby setting information istransmitted from a printer 3 unilaterally when there is no request froma PC 2.

[0106] To describe one example of such a configuration in simple terms,a configuration can be considered, for example, in which deviceinformation of the printer is transmitted from the printer 3 to thedirectory server 4. In this configuration, data transmission andreception is carried out using LDAP (Lightweight Directory AccessProtocol), for example. Since there is UPnP-specific processing andLDAP-specific processing, partially differing processing arises, butwith the exception of these parts, essentially the same kind ofprocessing as described above can be performed.

[0107] More specifically, when printer settings are successively changedon the printer 3 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 7(A), in order totransmit device information of the printer 3 to the directory server 4,as shown in FIG. 7(B), processing of ssdp:byebye transmission in UPnP(S305 in FIG. 4, T603 in FIG. 7(A)), processing of ssdp:alivetransmission in UPnP (S319 in FIG. 4, T615 in FIG. 7(A)), and processingto request a Description by an HTTF GET command (S403 in FIG. 5, T617 inFIG. 7(A)), is eliminated since equivalent processing does not exist inLDAP. Processing is executed to transmit device information from aprinter 3 in LDAP (specifically, LDAP: Modify Request) (T619′) directlyafter the Description initialization/generation (T613). This processingis similar to the processing for transmitting a Description (S505 inFIG. 6, T619 in FIG. 7(A)). Furthermore, at the end, the directoryserver 4 executes an additional processing (T620) to transmit a responsesignal indicating that the directory server 4 has received deviceinformation (specifically, LDAP: Modify Response). Thus, deviceinformation transmissions to a directory server 4 are partially omittedand a plurality of device information transmissions are combined intoone with regard to further setting changes carried out within thepredetermined period (30 seconds) after a printer setting has beenchanged first, in the same way as in the above-described firstembodiment, and thus the load on the network 1 can be reduced.

[0108] As described above, according to the modification, when a printersetting (transmitter setting) is changed, it is determined that atransmitter related setting has been changed. When it is determined thata transmitter related setting has been changed, time measurement isstarted. Then, when a predetermined period has elapsed based on timemeasurement, the printer (transmitter) sends setting information to thereceiver. If it is determined that a further setting change has beenmade within the predetermined period, setting information to betransmitted to the PC (receiver) is updated.

[0109] Accordingly, notifications are not sent to the PCs (receivers)independently for the first transmitter-related setting change and thefurther setting change(s) made within the predetermined period after thefirst change, and thus the amount of data sending on the network can bedecreased, and the load imposed on the network can assuredly be reduced.

[0110] In the above-described first embodiment and modification, anexample has been described in which the program relating to notificationprocessing shown in FIG. 4 and the program relating to responseprocessing shown in FIG. 6 are stored in the NVRAM 34 of a printer 3,but these programs may be stored in other storage media such as aflexible disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, hard disk, ROM, or RAM.Similarly, in the above-described first embodiment, an example has beendescribed in which the program relating to Description requestprocessing shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the HDD 24 of a PC 2, but thisprogram may be stored in other storage media such as a flexible disk,magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, hard disk, ROM, or RAM. Furthermore, inthe above-described first embodiment, an example has been described inwhich the network load is reduced by combining together ssdp:alivetransmissions, but the network load can be reduced by combining togetherssdp:byebye transmissions.

Second Embodiment

[0111] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed while referring mainly to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. The secondembodiment described below differs from the first embodiment only inpart of the notification processing executed by a printer 3, andtherefore the description will concentrate on this different part. Inthe following description, components and processing steps identical tothose in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numeralsas in the first embodiment.

[0112]FIG. 8 shows the notification processing executed by a printer 3.This notification processing is executed when the CPU 31 executes anotification program stored in the NVRAM 34 of the printer 3.

[0113] The notification processing shown in FIG. 8 differs from thenotification processing shown in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment in thatS701 processing is executed instead of the S309 processing in FIG. 4,and S703 processing is executed after the S313 processing in FIG. 4.Specifically, whereas in S309 it was determined whether or not 30seconds had elapsed since time measurement by the timer 37 was started,in S701 processing is performed to determine whether or not 15 secondshave elapsed since time measurement by the timer 37 was started. And inS703, processing is performed to reset (initialize) time measurement bythe timer 37.

[0114] It is noted that according to the present embodiment, the PC 2executes the description request process of FIG. 5 and the printer 3executes the response process of FIG. 6 in the same manner as in thefirst embodiment.

[0115] Sample operations when the processing steps in the secondembodiment are actually carried out will be described here whilereferring to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 8, and thetiming chart shown in FIG. 9. In describing sample operations accordingto the second embodiment, the same example will be taken as in the firstembodiment—that is, an example in which a user consecutively changes thedefault settings for printer 3 print quality, paper size, and multiplepage printing, at 10-second intervals.

[0116] First, when the default setting for printer 3 print quality ischanged by a user, such as a change from low quality to medium quality,for example, (corresponding to S301: YES in FIG. 8, T601 in FIG. 9),information in the setting information table 34 a provided in the NVRAM34 is updated (corresponding to S303 in FIG. 8), and then ssdp:byebye issent to PCs 2 (corresponding to S305 in FIG. 8, T603 in FIG. 9). Afterssdp:byebye is sent, time measurement by the timer 37 is started(corresponding to S307 in FIG. 8, T605 in FIG. 9). In this example, thepaper size default setting is changed before the elapse of 15 secondsfrom the start of time measurement by the timer 37 (corresponding toS311: YES in FIG. 8, T607 in FIG. 9), and the multiple page printing(condensed printing) default setting is changed before the elapse of 15seconds from the paper size default setting change (corresponding toS311: YES in FIG. 8, T609 in FIG. 9). Accordingly, at the timings of therespective setting changes, information in the setting information table34 a provided in the NVRAM 34 is updated (corresponding to S313 in FIG.8) and time measurement by the timer 37 is reset (corresponding to S70310 in FIG. 8, T801 and T803 in FIG. 9). That is to say, when a furthersetting change is made before 15-second time measurement is completed,15-second time measurement is restarted. Then, when 15 seconds haveelapsed since time measurement by the timer 37 was started(corresponding to S701: YES in FIG. 8), a printer reset operation(corresponding to S315 in FIG. 8, T611 in FIG. 9) and Descriptioninitialization/generation operation (corresponding to S317 in FIG. 8,T613 in FIG. 9) are executed, and ssdp:alive is sent to the PCs 2(corresponding to S319 in FIG. 8, T615 in FIG. 9). Upon receipt ofssdp:alive (corresponding to S401: YES in FIG. 5), a PC 2 makes aDescription request to the printer 3 by using an HTTP GET command(corresponding to S403 in FIG. 5, T617 in FIG. 9), and the PC 2 acquiresa Description sent from the printer 3 that has received this request(corresponding to S501: YES, S503: YES, and S505 in FIG. 6, and T619 inFIG. 9).

[0117] As described above, according to the setting informationtransmission/reception system of the second embodiment, it is determinedwhether or not a printer setting has been changed at the PC 2 operatingsection 25 or printer 3 operating section 35, and on the basis of aprinter setting change (corresponding to S301: YES in FIG. 8, T601 inFIG. 9), time measurement by timer 37 is started (corresponding to S307in FIG. 8, T605 in FIG. 9). Then, when it is confirmed by the timer 37that a predetermined period has elapsed (corresponding to S701: YES inFIG. 8), ssdp:alive is sent to the PCs 2 (corresponding to S319 in FIG.8, T615 in FIG. 9).

[0118] Also, determination of whether or not a further printer settingchange has been made within the predetermined period (S701: NO in FIG.8) is performed (corresponding to S311 in FIG. 8), and each time it isdetermined that a further setting change has been made (corresponding toS311: YES in FIG. 8, T607 and T609 in FIG. 9), setting information table34 a updating is performed (corresponding to S313 in FIG. 8), and timemeasurement by the timer 37 is reset and the period is extended(corresponding to S703 in FIG. 8, T801 and T803 in FIG. 9).

[0119] Upon receipt of ssdp:alive (corresponding to S401: YES in FIG.5), a PC 2 requests Description transmission by sending an HTTP GETcommand to the printer 3 (corresponding to S403 in FIG. 5, T617 in FIG.9). On receiving this HTTP GET command (corresponding to S501: YES,S503: YES in FIG. 6), the printer 3 performs Description transmission tothe PC 2 (corresponding to S505 in FIG. 6, T619 in FIG. 9), and the PC 2receives this description via the network interface 28.

[0120] In this way, similarly to the first embodiment, notifications toPCs 2 are partially omitted and a plurality of notifications arecombined into one when further setting changes are performed within apredetermined period after a printer setting has been changed, andnotification is no longer sent to a PC 2 each time a printer setting ischanged. Also, through the omission of such notifications, settinginformation transmission requests from a PC 2 to a printer 3 made on thebasis of these notifications, and setting information transmissions froma printer 3 to a PC 2 performed on the basis of these transmissionrequests, are also effectively curtailed. That is to say, by collectingtogether notifications for setting changes acknowledged within a shortperiod, and omitting some notifications, it is possible to reduce theload on the network 1.

[0121] In the above-described the second embodiment, a Descriptionrequest from a PC 2 to a printer 3 (T617 in FIG. 9) is issued when thePC 2 receives ssdp:alive transmitted by the printer 3 (T615 in FIG. 9),and the printer 3 transmits a Description to the PC 2 in response tothis request (T619 in FIG. 9), but this is not a limitation, and aconfiguration may also be used whereby setting information istransmitted from a printer 3 unilaterally when there is no request froma PC 2.

[0122] To describe one example of such a configuration in simple terms,a configuration can be considered, for example, in which deviceinformation of the printer 3 is transmitted to the directory server 4similarly to the modification of the first embodiment. In thisconfiguration, data transmission and reception may be carried outaccording to LDAP, for example. Since there is consequentlyUPnP-specific processing and LDAP-specific processing, partiallydiffering processing occurs, but with the exception of these parts,essentially the same kind of processing as described above can beperformed. That is to say, processing relating to ssdp:byebyetransmission in UPnP (S305 in FIG. 8, T603 in FIG. 9), processingrelating to ssdp:alive transmission in UPnP (S319 in FIG. 8, T615 inFIG. 9), and processing to request a Description by using an HTTP GETcommand (S403 in FIG. 5, T617 in FIG. 9), is eliminated since equivalentprocessing does not exist in LDAP. Also, the processing for transmittinga Description (S505 in FIG. 6, T619 in FIG. 9) resembles processing fortransmitting device information from a printer 3 in LDAP (specifically,LDAP: Modify Request), and so replaces that processing. Furthermore, inLDAP, processing is performed for transmitting a response signalindicating that device information has been received (specifically,LDAP; Modify Response), and therefore that processing is added at theend. Thus, device information transmissions to a directory server arepartially omitted (a plurality of device information transmissions arecombined into one) with regard to further setting changes carried outwithin a predetermined period after a printer setting has been changed,in the same way as in the above-described second embodiment, and thusthe load on the network 1 can be reduced.

[0123] As described above, according to the second embodiment, if it isdetermined that a further setting change has been made within thepredetermined period, the period is extended, and the period untilnotification or setting information transmission by the transmitterincreases. In this way, when a further change is made within thepredetermined period, the period is extended, thereby enabling theamount of data sending on the network to be further decreased

[0124] In the above-described second embodiment, an example has beendescribed in which the program relating to notification processing shownin FIG. 8 is stored in the NVRAM 34 of a printer 3, but this is not alimitation, and this program may also be stored in a storage medium suchas a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, hard disk, ROM, orRAM. Also, in the above-described second embodiment, an example has beendescribed in which, when a further setting change is confirmed within apredetermined period (S311: YES in Pig, 8), the predetermined period isextended by performing timer 37 reset processing (S703 in FIG. 8) butthis is not a limitation, and other processing may be used as long as itis processing that extends the predetermined period. For example, inS703, it is possible to subtract a predetermined amount of time from themeasurement result of the timer 37.

[0125] Furthermore, in the above-described second embodiment, an examplehas been described in which the network load is reduced by carrying outbatch ssdp:alive transmission as appropriate, but this is not alimitation, and a configuration may also be used whereby the networkload is reduced by carrying out batch ssdp:byebye transmission.

Third Embodiment

[0126] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed while referring mainly to FIG. 10 through FIG. 12. The thirdembodiment described below differs from the first embodiment only in thenotification processing executed by a printer 3 and the Descriptionrequest processing executed by a PC 2, and therefore the descriptionwill concentrate on these different parts. In the following description,components and processing steps identical to those in the firstembodiment are assigned the same reference numerals as in the firstembodiment.

[0127]FIG. 10 shows the notification processing executed by a printer 3,that is, the operation of a printer 3 when the CPU 31 executes anotification program stored in the NVRAM 34 of the printer 3, as in FIG.4 in the first embodiment.

[0128] The notification processing shown in FIG. 10 differs from thenotification processing shown in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment in thatprocessing steps S307 through S313 in FIG. 4 are eliminated. That is tosay, in the notification processing shown in FIG. 10, time measurementprocessing by the timer 37 (S307) and processing steps executed asappropriate according to the time measurement situation (S309 throughS313) are not performed, and ssdp:byebye and ssdp:alive are sentunconditionally (S305, S319) each time a setting change is determined tohave been made (S301: YES).

[0129]FIG. 11 shows the Description request processing executed by a PC2, that is, the operation of a PC 2 when the CPU 21 executes adescription request program stored in the HDD 24 of the PC 2.

[0130] The Description request processing shown in FIG. 11 differs fromthe Description request processing shown in FIG. 5 in the firstembodiment in that processing steps S1001 through S1009 are newly added.

[0131] When the Description request processing of FIG. 11 is started,counter n is initialized to 0 and it is first judged in S401 whether ornot ssdp:alive sent in S319 during the above-described printer 3notification processing (FIG. 10) has been received. If it is determinedthat ssdp:alive has not been received (S401: NO), the processing flowproceeds to S1005.

[0132] If, on the other hand, it is determined that ssdp:alive has beenreceived (S401: YES), the processing flow proceeds to S1001. In S1001,processing is performed to increment the value of the counter n by 1,and time measurement by the PC 2 timer 27 is started (S1003). It isnoted that counter value n is linked to the respective time measurementprocessing that is started each time S1003 is executed (here referred toas “n-th time measurement” for convenience). Then, if it is determinedin S401 that ssdp:alive has not been received (S401: NO), or after n-thtime measurement has been started in S1003, it is determined whether ornot 30 seconds have elapsed since time measurement was started (S1005).If it is determined in S1005 that 30 seconds have not yet elapsed or iftime measurement has not actually been started (S10015 NO), theprocessing flow returns to S401.

[0133] If, on the other hand, it is determined in S1003 that 30 secondshave elapsed (S1005: YES), it is judged whether or not that elapse isaccording to the first time measurement—that is, whether or not 30seconds have elapsed according to the time measurement started when thevalue of counter value n is 1 (S1007). If it is determined in S1007 thatthe elapse is not according to the first count (S1007: NO), theprocessing flow returns to S401.

[0134] If, on the other hand, it is determined in S1007 that the elapseis according to the first count (S1007: YES), the processing flowproceeds to S403. In S403, based on the reception of ssdp:alive from theprinter 3, processing is performed to issue a request to the printer 3that has sent ssdp:alive transmission of a Description containingsetting information of the subject printer 3. After S403 processing hasbeen performed, processing is performed in S1009 to input zero (0) tocounter value n, and the processing flow returns again to S401.

[0135] In this way, when ssdp:alive is first received after aDescription transmission request is made in S403 (S403, S1009, S401;YES), counter value n becomes 1 in S1001, and the first time measurementis started (5003). Then, a Description transmission request is made(S403) only when a 30-second interval has been measured by the firsttime measurement (S1005: YES, S1007: YES). In other words, second timemeasurement or third time measurement is performed only if ssdp:alive isreceived during execution of the first time measurement (S401: YES), butin the case of such second time measurement or third time measurement,control is performed so that a Description transmission request is notmade (S1007: NO) even if 30 seconds elapse (S1005: YES).

[0136] It is noted that according to the present embodiment, the printer3 executes the response process of FIG. 6 in the same manner as in thefirst embodiment.

[0137] Sample operations when the processing steps in the thirdembodiment are actually carried out will be described here whilereferring to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, andthe timing chart shown in FIG. 12. In describing sample operationsaccording to the third embodiment, the same example will be taken as inthe first embodiment—that is, an example in which a user consecutivelychanges the default settings for printer 3 print quality, paper size,and multiple page printing, at 10-second intervals.

[0138] First, when the default setting for printer 3 print quality ischanged by a user, such as a change from low quality to medium quality,for example, (corresponding to S301: YES in FIG. 10, T601 in FIG. 12),information in the setting information table 34 a provided in the NVRAM34 is updated (corresponding to S303 in FIG. 10), and then ssdp:byebyeis sent to the PCs 2 (corresponding to S305 in FIG. 10, T1101 in FIG.12). Then a printer reset operation (corresponding to S315 in FIG. 10,T1103 in FIG. 12) and Description initialization/generation operation(corresponding to S317 in FIG. 10, T1105 in FIG. 12) are executed, andssdp:alive is sent to the PCs 2 (corresponding to S319 in FIG. 10, T1107in FIG. 12). When the PC 2 receives this ssdp:alive (corresponding toS401: YES in FIG. 10), first time measurement is started (correspondingto S1003 in FIG. 11, T1109 in FIG. 12). In this example, a change in thepaper size default setting (corresponding to S301: YES in FIG. 10, T607in FIG. 12) and a change in the multiple page printing (condensedprinting) default setting (corresponding to S301: YES in FIG. 10, T609in FIG. 12) are made before the elapse of 30 seconds from the start ofthe first time measurement by the timer 27. Accordingly, in the same wayas for the print quality default setting change, at the timing for eachsetting change, information in the setting information table 34 a isupdated (corresponding to S303 in FIG. 10), ssdp:byebye is sent to thePCs 2 (corresponding to S305 in FIG. 10, T1111 and T1119 in FIG. 12), aprinter reset operation is executed (corresponding to S315 in FIG. 10,T1113 and T1121 in FIG. 12), Description initialization/generationoperation is executed (corresponding to S317 in FIG. 10, T1115 and T1123in FIG. 12), and ssdp:alive is sent to the PCs 2 (corresponding to S319in FIG. 10, T1117 and T1125 in FIG. 12).

[0139] When the PC 2 receives ssdp:alive based on a paper size defaultsetting change and multiple page printing (condensed printing) defaultsetting change (S401; YES in FIG. 11), since the first time measurementis presently being performed due to the ssdp:alive sent based on theprint quality default setting change, time measurement is started assecond time measurement and third time measurement, respectively(S1003). Then, when 30 seconds have elapsed since the first timemeasurement was started (corresponding to S1005: YES, S1007: YES in FIG.11), a Description request is issued to the printer 3 by using an HTTPGET command (corresponding to S403 in FIG. 11, T1127 in FIG. 12), andthe PC 2 acquires a Description sent from the printer 3 that hasreceived this request (corresponding to S501; YES, S503: YES, and S505in FIG. 6, and T1129 in FIG. 12).

[0140] As described above, according to the setting informationtransmission/reception system of the third embodiment, when a printersetting is changed by the PC operating section 25 or printer operatingsection 35, the printer 3 sends ssdp:alive to PCs 2 based on that change(corresponding to S319 in FIG. 10, T1107, T1117, T1125 in FIG. 12). Thenthe PC 2 determines whether or not notification has been receivedaccording to this ssdp:alive, and based on determination thatnotification has been received according to ssdp:alive (corresponding toS401: YES in FIG. 11, T1107 in FIG. 12), starts time measurement by thetimer 27 (corresponding to S1003 in FIG. 11, T1109 in FIG. 12). Then,when a predetermined period has elapsed based on time measurement by thetimer 27 (corresponding to S1005: YES, S1007: YES in FIG. 11), the PC 2requests Description transmission by sending an HTTP GET command to theprinter 3 (corresponding to S403 in FIG. 11, T1127 in FIG. 12). Onreceiving this HTTP GET command (corresponding to S501: YES, S503: YESin FIG. 6), the printer 3 performs Description transmission to the PC 2(corresponding to S505 in FIG. 6, T1129 in FIG. 12), and the PC 2receives this description via the network interface 28.

[0141] In the above-described third embodiment, it is determined whetheror not a further notification has been received from a printer 3(corresponding to S401, S1001, S1007 in FIG. 11) within thepredetermined period (S1005: NO, S1007: NO in FIG. 11), and control isperformed so that a Description transmission request is not issued tothe printer 3 in response to that further notification (corresponding toS1007 in FIG. 11).

[0142] In this way, Description transmission requests to a printer 3 arepartially omitted (a plurality of transmission requests are combinedinto one) in the case of further notifications received within thepredetermined period after reception of a notification based on aprinter setting change, and a Description transmission request is nolonger issued to a printer 3 each time a notification is received fromthe printer 3. Also, through the omission of such Descriptiontransmission requests, Description transmissions from a printer 3 to aPC 2 performed on the basis of these transmission requests are alsoeffectively curtailed. That is to say, by omitting some Descriptiontransmission requests in response to notifications relating to settingchanges acknowledged within a short period, it is possible to reduce theload on the network 1.

[0143] As described above, according to the third embodiment, when atransmitter setting is changed, notification is sent to the PCs(receivers). In the PC (receiver), when it is determined that anotification has been received, time measurement is started. Then, whena predetermined period has elapsed based on time measurement, the PC(receiver) requests the printer (transmitter) to transmit settinginformation, and on receiving this request, the printer (transmitter)transmits setting information. If it is determined that a furthernotification has been received within the predetermined period, the PC(receiver) executes control so that a request for transmission ofsetting information is not sent to the printer (transmitter) in responseto this further notification. In this way, the PC (receiver) does notsend requests for transmission of setting information to the transmitterindependently for a prior received notification and a furthernotification received within the predetermined period after reception ofthe prior notification, and thus the amount of data sending on thenetwork can be decreased, and the load imposed on the network canassuredly be reduced.

[0144] In the above-described third embodiment, an example has beendescribed in which the program relating to notification processing shownin FIG. 10 is stored in the NVRAM 34 of a printer 3, but this is not alimitation, and this program may also be stored in a storage medium suchas a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, hard disk, ROM, orRAM. Similarly, in the above-described third embodiment, an example hasbeen described in which the program relating to Description requestprocessing shown in FIG. 11 is stored in the HDD 24 of a PC 2, but thisis not a limitation, and this program may also be stored in a storagemedium such as a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, hard disk,ROM, or RAM.

Fourth Embodiment

[0145] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed while referring mainly to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. The fourthembodiment described below differs from the third embodiment only in theDescription request processing executed by a PC 2, and therefore thedescription will concentrate on this different part. In the followingdescription, components and processing steps identical to those in thethird embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals as in thethird embodiment.

[0146]FIG. 13 shows the Description request processing executed by a PC2, that is, the operation of a PC 2 when the CPU 21 executes adescription request program stored in the HDD 24 of the PC 2.

[0147] The Description request processing shown in FIG. 13 differs fromthe Description request processing shown in FIG. 5 in the firstembodiment in that processing steps S1201 through S1207 are newly added.

[0148] When the Description request processing shown in FIG. 13 isstarted, it is first judged whether or not ssdp:alive sent in S319during the printer 3 notification processing according to the thirdembodiment (FIG. 10) has been received (S401). If it is determined thatssdp:alive has not been received (S401: NO), the Description requestprocessing is terminated.

[0149] If, on the other hand, it is determined that ssdp:alive has beenreceived (S401: YES), the processing flow proceeds to S1201. In S1201,time measurement by the timer 27 of the PC 2 is started. It is thenjudged whether or not fifteen seconds have elapsed since timemeasurement was started (S1203). If it is determined in S1203 that 15seconds have not yet elapsed (S1203: NO), the processing flow proceedsto S1205.

[0150] If, on the other hand, it is determined in S1203 that 15 secondshave elapsed (S1203: YES), the processing flow proceeds to S403.

[0151] In S1205, it is judged whether or not a further ssdp:alive hasbeen received before the elapse of 15 seconds from the start of timemeasurement by the timer 27 (S1201, S1203: NO). If it is determined inS1205 that a further ssdp:alive has not been received (S1205: NO), theprocessing flow returns directly to S1203.

[0152] If, on the other hand, it is determined in S1205 that a furtherssdp:alive has been received (S1205: YES), time measurement by the timer27 is reset (S1207), and then the processing flow returns to S1203. Ifit is determined in S1203 that 15 seconds have elapsed based on timemeasurement by the timer 27 (S1203: YES), processing is performed toissue a request to the printer 3 that has sent ssdp:alive fortransmission of a Description containing setting information of thesubject printer 3 (S403), and the Description request processing isterminated.

[0153] It is noted that according to the present embodiment, the printer3 executes the notification process of FIG. 10 and the response processof FIG. 6.

[0154] Sample operations when the processing steps in the fourthembodiment are actually carried out will be described here whilereferring to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 10, and FIG. 13, andthe timing chart shown in FIG. 14. In describing sample operationsaccording to the fourth embodiment, the same example will be taken as inthe first embodiment—that is, an example in which a user consecutivelychanges the default settings for printer 3 print quality, paper size,and multiple page printing, at 10-second intervals.

[0155] First, when the default setting for printer 3 print quality ischanged by a user, such as a change from low quality to medium quality,for example, (corresponding to S301: YES in FIG. 10, T601 in FIG. 14),information in the setting information table 34 a provided in the NVRAM34 is updated (corresponding to S303 in FIG. 10), and then ssdp:byebyeis sent to the PCs 2 (corresponding to S305 in FIG. 10, T1101 in FIG.14). Then a printer reset operation (corresponding to S315 in FIG. 10,T1103 in FIG. 14) and Description initialization/generation operation(corresponding to 6317 in FIG. 10, T1105 in FIG. 14) are executed, andssdp:alive is sent to the PCs 2 (corresponding to S319 in FIG. 10, T1107in FIG. 14). When the PC 2 receives this ssdp:alive (corresponding toS401: YES in FIG. 13), time measurement by the timer 27 is started(corresponding to S1201 in FIG. 13, T1109 in FIG. 14).

[0156] In this example, the paper size default setting is changed beforethe elapse of 15 seconds from the start of time measurement by the timer27 (corresponding to S301: YES in FIG. 10, T607 in FIG. 14), and themultiple page printing (condensed printing) default setting is changedbefore the elapse of 15 seconds from the paper size default settingchange (corresponding to S301: YES in FIG. 10, T609 in FIG. 14).Accordingly, in the same way as for the print quality default settingchange, at the timing of each setting change, information in the settinginformation table 34 a provided in the NVRAM 34 is updated(corresponding to S303 in FIG. 10), ssdp:byebye is sent to the PCs 2(corresponding to S305 in FIG. 10, T1111 and T1119 in FIG. 14), aprinter reset operation is executed (corresponding to S315 in FIG. 10,T1113 and T1121 in FIG. 14), Description initialization/generationoperation is executed (corresponding to S317 in FIG. 10, T1115 and T1123in FIG. 14), and ssdp:alive is sent to the PCs 2 (corresponding to S319in FIG. 10, T1117 and T1125 in FIG. 14).

[0157] When the PC 2 receives ssdp:alive based on a paper size defaultsetting change and multiple page printing (condensed printing) defaultsetting change (S1205: YES in FIG. 13), time measurement by the timer 27is reset (corresponding to S1207 in FIG. 13, T1301 and T1303 in FIG.14). Then, when 15 seconds have elapsed since time measurement by thetimer 27 was started (corresponding to S1203: YES in FIG. 13), aDescription request is issued to the printer 3 according to an HTTP GETcommand (corresponding to S403 in FIG. 13, T1127 in FIG. 14), and the PC2 acquires a Description sent from the printer 3 that has received thisrequest (corresponding to S501: YES, S503: YES, and S505 in FIG. 6, andT1129 in FIG. 14).

[0158] As described above, according to the setting informationtransmission/reception system of the fourth embodiment, when a printersetting is changed by the PC operating section 25 or printer operatingsection 35, the printer 3 sends ssdp;alive to the PCs 2 based on thatchange (corresponding to S319 in FIG. 10, T1107, T1117, T1125 in FIG.14). Then the PC 2 determines whether or not notification has beenreceived according to this ssdp:alive, and based on determination thatnotification has been received by ssdp:alive (corresponding to S401: YESin FIG. 13, T1107 in FIG. 12), starts time measurement by the timer 27(corresponding to S1201 in FIG. 13, T1109 in FIG. 14). The PC 2 alsodetermines whether or not a further notification has been received fromthe printer (corresponding to S1205 in FIG. 13) within a predeterminedperiod (S1203: NO in FIG. 13), and each time it is determined that afurther notification has been received (corresponding to S1205: YES inFIG. 13, T1117 and T1125 in FIG. 14), resets the time measurement by thetimer 27 and extends the period (corresponding to S1207 in FIG. 13,T1301 and T1303 in FIG. 14). Then, when the predetermined period haselapsed based on time measurement by the timer 27 (corresponding toS1203: YES in FIG. 13), the PC 2 requests Description transmission bysending an HTTP GET command to the printer 3 (corresponding to S403 inFIG. 13, T1127 in FIG. 14). On receiving this HTTP GET command(corresponding to S501: YES, S503: YES in FIG. 6), the printer 3performs Description transmission to the PC 2 (corresponding to S505 inFIG. 6, T1129 in FIG. 12), and the PC 2 receives this description viathe network interface 28.

[0159] In the above-described fourth embodiment, it is determinedwhether or not a further notification has been received from a printer 3(corresponding to S1205 in FIG. 13) within a predetermined period(S1203: NO in FIG. 13), and control is performed so that a Descriptiontransmission request is not issued to the printer 3 in response to thatfurther notification (corresponding to S1203, S403 in FIG. 13).

[0160] In this way, Description transmission requests to a printer 3 arepartially omitted (a plurality of transmission requests are combinedinto one) in the case of further notifications received within apredetermined period after reception of a notification based on aprinter setting change, and a Description transmission request is nolonger issued to a printer 3 each time a notification is received fromthe printer 3. Also, through the omission of such Descriptiontransmission requests, Description transmissions from a printer 3 to aPC 2 performed on the basis of these transmission requests are alsoeffectively curtailed. That is to say, by omitting some Descriptiontransmission requests in response to notifications relating to settingchanges acknowledged within a short period, it is possible to reduce theload on the network 1.

[0161] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, if it isdetermined that a further notification has been received within apredetermined period, the period is extended, and the period until arequest increases. Accordingly, when a further notification is receivedwithin a predetermined period, the period is extended, thereby enablingthe amount of data sending on the network to be further decreased.

[0162] In the above-described fourth embodiment, an example has beendescribed in which the program relating to whether or not an Exit buttonB3 is clicked.

[0163] If the Exit button B3 is not clicked (no in S2035), the programreturns to S2003. If the Exit button B3 is clicked (yes in S2035), theprogram ends.

[0164] On the other hand, if the OK button B1 is clicked (yes in S2005),the program proceeds to S2007, where the CPU 21 transmits to the printer3 a start command for a group of setting changes.

[0165] Then, in S2009, the CPU 21 retrieves, one at a time, recordingsof a plurality of setting changes which are now stored in the RAM 23.The CPU 21 transmits, one at a time, the retrieved recordings as aplurality of setting change commands to the printer 3.

[0166] Then, in S2011, the CPU 21 transmits to the printer 3 an endcommand for the group of setting changes. Then, the program returns toS2003.

[0167] On the other hand, if the Cancel button B2 is clicked (yes inS2013), the program proceeds to S2015, where the CPU 21 clears ordeletes recordings of all the setting changes now stored in the RAM 23.Then, the program returns to S2003.

[0168] On the other hand, if the key input is for changing the node name(yes in S2017), the program proceeds to S2019, where the CPU 21 recordschanging of the node name in the RAM 23. Then, the program returns toS2003.

[0169] On the other hand, if the key input is for changing the IPaddress (yes in S2021), the program proceeds to S2023, where the CPU 21records changing of the IP address in the RAM 23. Then, the programreturns to S2003.

[0170] On the other hand, if the key input is for changing the subnetmask (yes in S2025), the program proceeds to S2027, where the CPU 21records changing of the subnet mask in the RAM 23. Then, the programreturns to S2003.

[0171] On the other hand, if the key input is for changing the gateway(yes in S2029), the program proceeds to S2031, where the CPU 21 recordschanging of the gateway in the RAM 23. Then, the program returns toS2003.

[0172] On the other hand, if the printer tab T2 is clicked (yes inS2033), the program proceeds to S2037, where the CPU 21 controls thedisplay 26 to show the printing setting page PP as shown in FIG. 16(B).

[0173] The printing setting page PP has a printer tab T2 on its upperportion, and includes therein: an OK button B1′, a Cancel button B2′, anExit button B3′, a Resolution window W1′, a Paper window W2′, aColor/Mono window W3′, and a Tray window W4′. The network tab T1 appearsadjacent to the printer tab T2. In the Resolution window W1′, the usercan set his/her desired resolution, such as 600 dpi, with which theprinter 3 is desired to execute printing. In the Paper window W2′, theuser can set, as a paper type, the image print size, with which theprinter 3 is desired to print images onto a paper. In the Color/Monowindow W3′, the user can set a color type, such as a monochromatic or afull color, with which the printer 3 is desired to print. In the Traywindow W4′, the user can set his/her desired tray, such as a tray 1,from which the paper is desired to be picked up for printing.

[0174] Next, in S2039, the CPU 21 waits for any key input at theoperating section 25 onto the printing setting page PP (no in S2039).When some key input is detected (yes in S2039), the program proceeds toS2041, where the CPU 21 judges whether or not an OK button B1′ isclicked.

[0175] If the OK button B1′ is not clicked (no in S2041), the programproceeds to S2049, where the CPU 21 judges whether or not a Cancelbutton B2′ is clicked.

[0176] If the Cancel button B2′ is not clicked (no in S2049), theprogram proceeds to S2053, where the CPU 21 judges whether or not thekey input is for changing the resolution in the Resolution window W1′.

[0177] If the key input is not for changing the resolution (no inS2053), the program proceeds to S2057, where the CPU 21 judges whetheror not the key input is for changing the paper (print image size) in thePaper window W2′.

[0178] If the key input is not for changing the paper (no in S2057), theprogram proceeds to S2061, where the CPU 21 judges whether or not thekey input is for changing the color type in the Color/Mono window W3′.

[0179] If the key input is not for changing the color type (no inS2061), the program proceeds to S2065, where the CPU 21 judges whetheror not the key input is for changing the tray in the Tray window W4′.

[0180] If the key input is not for changing the tray (no in S2065), theprogram proceeds to S2069, where the CPU 21 judges whether or not thenetwork tab T1 is clicked.

[0181] If the network tab T1 is not clicked (no in S2069), the programproceeds to S2071, where the CPU 21 judges whether or not an Exit buttonB3′ is clicked.

[0182] If the Exit button B3′ is not clicked (no in S2071), the programreturns to S2039. If the Exit button B3′ is clicked (yes in S2071), theprogram ends.

[0183] On the other hand, if the OK button B1′ is clicked (yes inS2041), the program proceeds to S2043, where the CPU 21 transmits to theprinter 3 a start command for a group of setting changes.

[0184] Then, in S2045, the CPU 21 retrieves, one at a time, recordingsof a plurality of setting changes which are now stored in the RAM 23.The CPU 21 transmits, one at a time, the retrieved recordings as aplurality of setting change commands to the printer 3.

[0185] Then, in S2047, the CPU 21 transmits to the printer 3 an endcommand for the group of setting changes. Then, the program returns toS2039.

[0186] On the other hand, if the Cancel button B2′ is clicked (yes inS2049), the program proceeds to S2051, where the CPU 21 clears ordeletes recordings of all the setting changes now stored in the RAM 23.Then, the program returns to S2039.

[0187] On the other hand, if the key input is for changing theresolution (yes in S2053), the program proceeds to S2055, where the CPU21 records changing of the resolution in the RAM 23. Then, the programreturns to S2039.

[0188] On the other hand, if the key input is for changing the paper(print image size) (yes in S2057), the program proceeds to S2059, wherethe CPU 21 records changing of the paper in the RAM 23. Then, theprogram returns to S2039.

[0189] On the other hand, if the key input is for changing the colortype (yes in S2061), the program proceeds to S2063, where the CPU 21records changing of the color type in the RAM 23. Then, the programreturns to S2039.

[0190] On the other hand, if the key input is for changing the tray (yesin S2065), the program proceeds to S2067, where the CPU 21 recordschanging of the tray in the RAM 23. Then, the program returns to S2039.

[0191] On the other hand, if the network tab T1 is clicked (yes inS2069), the program returns to S2001.

[0192] According to the present embodiment, the printer 3 executes thenotification processing as shown in FIG. 17. It is noted that the PC 2executes the Description request process as shown in FIG. 5, and theprinter 3 executes the response process as shown in FIG. 6.

[0193]FIG. 17 shows the operation of the printer 3 when its CPU 31executes a notification program stored in the NVRAM 34 of the printer 3.It is noted that the notification program may be stored in other storagemedia such as a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, hard disk,ROM, or RAM.

[0194] The processes of FIG. 17 are executed at predetermined intervals.

[0195] When the processes are started, first, in S2101, the CPU 31resets a protect flag to zero (0) and sets an alive flag to one (1).

[0196] Then, in S2103, the CPU 31 waits for arrival of some command (noin S2013). When the CPU 31 receives some command (yes in S2013), theprogram proceeds to S2105, where the CPU 31 judges whether or not thereceived command is the start command for a group of setting changes.

[0197] If the received command is not the start command for a group ofsetting changes (no in S2105), the program proceeds to S2109, where theCPU 31 judges whether or not the received command is the end command fora group of setting changes.

[0198] If the received command is not the end command for a group ofsetting changes (no in S2109), the program proceeds to S2121, where theCPU 31 judges whether or not the received command is a setting changecommand.

[0199] If the received command is not a setting change command (no inS2121), the program proceeds to S2123, where the CPU 31 executes otherprocessings, and the program ends,

[0200] On the other hand, if the received command is the start commandfor a group of setting changes (yes in S2105), the program proceeds toS2107, where the CPU 31 sets the protect flag to one (1). Then, theprogram returns to S2103.

[0201] On the other hand, if the received command is the end conunandfor a group of setting changes (yes in S2109), the program proceeds toS2111, where the CPU 31 resets the protect flag to zero (0). Then, inS2113, the CPU 31 judges whether or not the alive flag is now one (1).If the alive flag is now one (1) (yes in S2113), the program ends.

[0202] On the other hand, if the alive flag is now zero (0) (no inS2113), the CPU 31 executes a printer 3 reset operation in S2115. Then,in S2117, the CPU 31 executes a Description initialization/generationoperation. Then, in S2119, the CPU 31 broadcasts a ssdp:alive to the PCs2. Then, the program ends.

[0203] On the other hand, if the received command is a setting changecommand (yes in S2121), the program proceeds to S2125, where the CPU 31judges whether or not the alive flag is now zero (0) If the alive flagis now one (1) (no in S2125), the program proceeds to S2127, where theCPU 31 judges whether or not the setting change indicated by the settingchange command will influence the contents of the Description.

[0204] Representative examples of the setting changes that willinfluence the contents of the Description include changes of settingsfor: IP address, Node name, information of location of the printer 3,the number of copies, orientation, paper size, paper type, printquality, and setting of both-sides sheet printing. Representativeexamples of the setting changes that will not influence the contents ofthe Description include changes of settings for: fonts, margins, TCP/IPtime out, and DNS server address.

[0205] If the setting change indicated by the setting change commandwill influence the contents of the Description (yes in S2127), theprogram proceeds to S2129, where the CPU 31 broadcasts ssdp:byebye tothe PCs 2. Then, in S2131, the CPU 31 resets the alive flag to zero (0).Then, in S2133, the CPU 31 changes the settings according to the settingchange command. In other words, the CPU 31 updates the information inthe setting information table 34 a in the NVRAM 34.

[0206] Next, in S2135, the CPU 31 judges whether or not the protect flagis now one (1). If the protect flag is now one (1) (yes in S2135), theprogram returns to S2103. On the other hand, if the protect flag is nowzero (0) (no in S2135), the program proceeds to S2113.

[0207] On the other hand, in S2125, if the alive flag is zero (0) (yesin S2125), the program proceeds directly to S2133.

[0208] If, in S2127, the setting change indicated by the setting changecommand will not influence the contents of the Description (no inS2127), the program also proceeds directly to S2133.

[0209] Next, sample operations when the above-described processing stepsin FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 are actually carried out will bedescribed while referring to the timing chart shown in FIG. 18. In thisexample, a user manipulates the PC 2 a as shown in FIG. 15 to designate,for the printer 3 a, a first setting change that will not influence theDescription, to next designate a second setting change that willinfluence the Description, to next designate a third setting change, andthen to designate a fourth setting change, before finally clicking theOK button B1 or B1′.

[0210] In this example, the start command for the group of the firstthrough fourth setting changes are first transmitted from the PC 2 a tothe printer 3 a (T1201, corresponding to S2007 in FIG. 15 and “yes” inS2105 in FIG. 17). Then, the setting change command for the firstsetting change is transmitted from the PC 2 a to the printer 3 a (T1203,corresponding to S2009 in FIG. 15 and “yes” in S2121 and “no” in S2125in FIG. 17). Because the first setting change does not influence theDescription (no in S2127), the printer 3 a does not transmit thessdp:byebye to the PCs 2 at this time.

[0211] Then, the setting change command for the second setting change istransmitted from the PC 2 a to the printer 3 a (T1205, corresponding toS2009 in FIG. 15 and “yes” in S2121 and “no” in S2125 in FIG. 17).Because the second setting change influences the Description (“yes” inS2127), the printer 3 a broadcasts ssdp:byebye to the PCs 2 at this time(T1207, corresponding to S2129).

[0212] Then, the setting change commands for the third and fourthsetting changes are transmitted from the PC 2 a to the printer 3 a inthis order (T1209 and T1211, corresponding to S2009 in FIG. 15 and “yes”in S2121 and in S2125).

[0213] Then, the end command for the group of the first through fourthsetting changes is transmitted from the PC 2 a to the printer 3 a(T1213, corresponding to S2011 in FIG. 15 and “yes” in S2109 and “no” inS2113). In response to the end command for the group of the firstthrough fourth setting changes, the printer 3 reset operation (T1215,corresponding to S2115 in FIG. 17) and Descriptioninitialization/generation operation (T1217, corresponding to S2117 inFIG. 17) are executed, and ssdp:alive is broadcasted to the PCs 2(T1219, corresponding to S2119 in FIG. 17). When some PC 2 receives thisssdp:alive (corresponding to S401: YES in FIG. 5), the PC 2 sends aDescription request to the printer 3 a in the form of an HTTP GETcommand (T1221, corresponding to S403 in FIG. 4), and the PC 2 acquiresa Description sent from the printer 3 a (T1223, corresponding to S501:YES, S503: YES, and S505 in FIG. 6).

[0214] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when theuser designates successive setting changes, the PC 2 first transmits astart command, then transmits commands for the successive settingchanges, and finally transmits an end command. Upon receipt of thesecommand, the printer 3 can recognize, as a group, the successive settingchanges that are received between the start command and the end command.The printer 3 can send ssdp:alive to the PCs 2 only once after receivingthe end command. It is unnecessary to execute time measurement.

[0215] <Modification>

[0216] The present embodiment can be modified so that the usermanipulates the operating section 35 on the printer 3 to change thesettings of the printer 3, such as the printer settings and the networksettings.

[0217] An example of the key menu provided by the operating section 35is of a hierarchy structure shown in FIG. 19. The key-menu includes theready mode at its highest rank, and includes the setting mode and othermodes (not shown) at its second highest rank. The key menu for thesetting menu includes: “printing settings”, “network settings”, and thelike. The key menu for “network settings” includes: a node name, an IPaddress, a subnet mask, a gate way, and the like. The key menu for“network settings” may further include DNS address. The key menu for“printing settings” includes: resolution, paper (print-image size),color/mono (color type), tray, and the like. The user can set his/herdesired setting for each menu.

[0218] As shown in FIG. 20, the operating section 35 includes: a set key35 a; a back key 35 b, a go key 35 c, a minus (−) key 35 d, and a plus(+) key 35 e at a location near to the display section 36. The minus (−)key 35 d and the plus (+) key 35 e are for changing a menu or a valuepresently being displayed on the display section 36. The set key 35 a isfor setting a menu or a value presently being displayed on the displaysection 36. By depressing the set key 35 a for the first time, theprinter 3 is brought from the ready mode (highest rank in the hierarchystructure of FIG. 19) into the setting mode (second highest rank) whenthe set key 35 a is depressed after the minus (−) key 35 d and/or theplus (+) key 35 e is depressed during the setting mode, setting changingis finally set onto the presently-displayed value for thepresently-displayed menu. The back key 35 b is for returning thepresently-displayed menu rank back to a rank immediately-higher than thepresent rank. The go key 35 c is for exiting the hierarchy structure ofFIG. 19 up to the highest rank, thereby bringing the printer 3 from thesetting mode back to the ready mode.

[0219] According to this modification, the CPU 31 executes thenotification processes of FIG. 17 in response to the user's manipulationof the operating section 35. More specifically, in S2103, the CPU 31waits for any key input operation at the operating section 35. In S2105,the CPU 31 judges whether or not the set key 35 a is depressed firstafter the CPU 31 has broadcasted ssdp:alive latest in S2119. The CPU 31recognizes this depression of the set key 35 a as a command for startingthe setting mode. In S2109, the CPU 31 judges whether or not the go key35 c is depressed to indicate the end of the setting mode. In S2121, theCPU 31 judges whether or not the set key 35 a is depressed after theminus and/or plus key 35 d , 35 e has been depressed after the settingmode has been started in S2105 (yes in S2105). The CPU 31 recognizessuch a depression of the set key 35 a after depression of the key 35 dor 35 e as a setting change command.

[0220] As described above, according to the present modification, whenthe user designates successive setting changes on the operating section35, the printer 3 first recognizes a setting-mode start command, thenrecognizes commands for the successive setting changes, and finallyrecognizes a setting-mode end command. The printer 3 can thereforerecognize, as a group, the successive setting changes that aredesignated between the setting-mode start command and the setting-modeend command. The printer 3 can send ssdp:alive to the PCs 2 only onceafter receiving the setting-mode end command. It becomes unnecessary toexecute time measurement.

[0221] While the invention has been described in detail with referenceto the specific embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transmitter connectable with a network, thetransmitter comprising: a storage portion storing setting-information;an instruction receiving portion capable of receiving a setting-changeinstruction indicative of a setting-change; an instruction-groupspecifying portion specifying, as an instruction group, at least onesuccessive setting-change instruction, which is received by theinstruction receiving portion successively and which is indicative of atleast one setting-change; a setting-information updating portionsuccessively updating the setting information in the storage portionbased on the at least one successive setting-change in the instructiongroup, to thereby obtain final setting-information; and a transmissionportion transmitting, via a network to a receiver, a set offinal-setting-data indicative of the final setting-information after thefinal setting-information is obtained.
 2. A transmitter as recited inclaim 1, wherein the instruction-group specifying portion includes acommand judging portion that judges whether or not the instructionreceiving portion receives an end command, the instruction-groupspecifying portion specifying, as the instruction group, at least onesetting-change instruction that the instruction receiving portion hasreceived before receiving the end command.
 3. A transmitter as recitedin claim 2, wherein the command judging portion further judges whetheror not the instruction receiving portion receives a start command, theinstruction-group specifying portion specifying, as the instructiongroup, at least one setting-change instruction that the instructionreceiving portion has received after receiving the start command andbefore receiving the end command.
 4. A transmitter as recited in claim1, wherein the instruction-group specifying portion specifies, as theinstruction group, the at least one successive setting-changeinstruction received by the instruction receiving portion within apredetermined period of time.
 5. A transmitter as recited in claim 1,wherein the instruction-group specifying portion specifies, as theinstruction group, the at least one successive setting-changeinstruction received by the instruction receiving portion with a timeinterval between each two successive setting-change instructions in theat least one successive setting-change instruction being within apredetermined time interval.
 6. A transmitter as recited in claim 4,wherein the instruction-group specifying portion includes a timemeasuring portion that starts measuring the predetermined period of timewhen the instruction receiving portion receives one setting-changeinstruction first when the time measuring portion performs nomeasurement, the instruction-group specifying portion specifying thesubject setting-change instruction as a part of the group ofsetting-change instructions.
 7. A transmitter as recited in claim 6,wherein when the instruction receiving portion receives anothersetting-change instruction within the predetermined period of time afterstart of the time measurement, the instruction-group specifying portionspecifies the other setting-change instruction as another part of thegroup of setting-change instructions.
 8. A transmitter as recited inclaim 7, wherein the time measuring portion elongates the length of thepredetermined period of time when the instruction receiving portionreceives the other setting-change instruction within the predeterminedperiod of time after start of the time measurement.
 9. A transmitter asrecited in claim 8, wherein the time measuring portion restartsmeasuring the predetermined period of time when the instructionreceiving portion receives the other setting-change instruction withinthe predetermined period of time after start of the time measurement.10. A transmitter as recited in claim 1, wherein the transmissionportion includes: a final-setting-data creating portion creating the setof final-setting-data based on the final setting-information; a firstnotifying portion notifying the receiver when the final-setting-datacreating portion creates the set of final-setting-data; a requestreceiving portion receiving a request from the receiver; and anupon-request transmitting portion transmitting, upon receipt of therequest, the set of final-setting-data via the network to the receiver.11. A transmitter as recited in claim 10, further comprising: aninterface portion connectable to the network; and a second notifyingportion notifying the receiver that the interface portion isdisconnected from the network after the instruction-group specifyingportion receives one setting-change instruction, whose correspondingsetting-change will influence the set of final-setting-data to becreated by the final-setting-data creating portion and which is receivedfirst after the first notifying portion executes notification, whereinthe first notifying portion notifies, when the final-setting-datacreating portion creates the set of final-setting-data, the receiverthat the interface portion is brought back into connection with thenetwork.
 12. A transmitter as claimed in claim 1, wherein theinstruction receiving portion includes an operation portion enabling auser to input his/her desired instruction.
 13. A transmitter as claimedin claim 1, wherein the instruction receiving portion includes an inputportion capable of receiving instruction from a remote device via thenetwork.
 14. A setting information transmission/reception system,comprising: a transmitter connectable with a network, the transmitterincluding: a storage portion storing setting-information; an instructionreceiving portion capable of receiving a setting-change instructionindicative of a setting-change; an instruction-group specifying portionspecifying, as an instruction group, at least one successivesetting-change instruction, which is received by the instructionreceiving portion successively and which is indicative of at least onesetting-change; a setting-information updating portion successivelyupdating the setting information in the storage portion based on the atleast one successive setting-change in the instruction group, to therebyobtain final setting-information; and a transmission portiontransmitting, via a network to a receiver, a set of final-setting-dataindicative of the final setting-information after the finalsetting-information is obtained; and the receiver that is connected tothe network and that receives the set of final-setting-data from thetransmitter via the network.
 15. A setting informationtransmission/reception system as claimed in claim 14, wherein thetransmission portion includes: a final-setting-data creating portioncreating the set of final-setting-data based on the finalsetting-information; and a first notifying portion notifying thereceiver when the final-setting-data creating portion creates the set offinal-setting-data, wherein the receiver includes a requesting portionrequesting the transmitter to transmit the final-setting-data to thereceiver upon receipt of the notification, and wherein the transmissionportion further includes: a request receiving portion receiving therequest from the receiver; and an upon-request transmitting portiontransmitting, upon receipt of the request, the set of final-setting-datavia the network to the receiver.
 16. A setting informationtransmission/reception system, comprising: a transmitter that isconnectable to a network and that transmits to a receiver via thenetwork setting information specifying the transmitter's own settings,the transmitter including: a changing portion changing a setting of thetransmitter; an out-of-period determining portion determining whether ornot a setting has been changed by said changing portion; a timemeasurement portion starting time measurement when the out-of-perioddetermining portion determines that a setting has been changed; awithin-period determining portion determining whether or not a furthersetting change has been performed by said changing portion within apredetermined period from the start of the time measurement; an updatingportion updating setting information when the within-period determiningportion determines that a further setting change has been performed; anda transmitting portion transmitting the setting information to thereceiver when it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsedbased on the time measurement by the time measurement portion; and thereceiver that is connected to the network and that receives the settinginformation transmitted from the transmitter, the receiver including areceiving portion receiving the setting information transmitted from thetransmitting portion.
 17. A setting information transmission/receptionsystem as claimed in claim 16, wherein the transmitter further includesa notifying portion performing notification to the receiver when thepredetermined period has elapsed, wherein the receiver further includesa requesting portion requesting the transmitter to transmit the settinginformation to the receiver upon receipt of the notification, andwherein the transmitting portion transmits the setting information tothe receiver upon receipt of the request from the receiver.
 18. Thesetting information transmission/reception system according to claim 16,wherein the transmitter further includes an extending portion extendingthe length of the predetermined period when the within-perioddetermining portion determines that a further setting change has beenmade by the changing portion within that predetermined period.
 19. Thesetting information transmission/reception system according to claim 17,wherein the transmitter leaves the network by being disconnected fromthe network when the changing portion changes the setting, thetransmitter joining the network by being connected to the network whenthe notifying portion performs the notification.
 20. A transmitterconnectable to a network for transmitting to a receiver via the networksetting information specifying the transmitter's own settings, thetransmitter comprising: a changing portion changing a setting of thetransmitter; an out-of-period determining portion determining whether ornot a setting has been changed by said changing portion; a timemeasurement portion starting time measurement when the out-of-perioddetermining portion determines that a setting has been changed; awithin-period determining portion determining whether or not a furthersetting change has been performed by said changing portion within apredetermined period from the start of the time measurement; an updatingportion updating setting information when the within-period determiningportion determines that a further setting change has been performed; anda transmitting portion transmitting the setting information to areceiver when it is determined that the predetermined period has elapsedbased on the time, measurement by the time measurement portion.
 21. Thetransmitter as claimed in claim 20, further comprising: a notifyingportion performing notification to the receiver when the predeterminedperiod has elapsed; a request receiving portion receiving, from thereceiver, a request to transmit the setting information to the receiver,and wherein the transmitting portion transmits the setting informationto the receiver upon receipt of the request from the receiver.
 22. Asetting information transmission/reception system, comprising: atransmitter that is connectable to a network and that transmits to areceiver via the network setting information specifying thetransmitter's own settings, the transmitter including: a changingportion changing a setting of the transmitter; a notifying portionperforming notification to a receiver when the setting is changed by thechanging portion; and a transmitting portion transmitting information ofthe setting upon receipt of the request from the receiver; and areceiver that is connected to the network and that receives the settinginformation transmitted from the transmitter, the receiver including: anout-of-period determining portion determining whether or notnotification has been received from the notifying portion; a timemeasurement portion starting time measurement when the out-of-perioddetermining portion determines that notification has been received; awithin-period determining portion determining whether or not a furthernotification has been performed from the notifying portion within apredetermined period from the start of the time measurement; arequesting portion requesting the transmitter to transmit the settinginformation when the predetermined period has elapsed based on timemeasurement by the time measurement portion; a request control portioncontrolling the requesting portion to fail to request the transmitter inresponse to the further notification; and a receiving portion receivingthe setting information transmitted from the transmitting portion. 23.The setting information transmission/reception system according to claim22, wherein the receiver further includes an extending portion extendingthe length of the predetermined period when the within-perioddetermining portion determines that a further notification has beenreceived within the predetermined period.
 24. The setting informationtransmission/reception system according to claim 22, wherein thetransmitter leaves the network by being disconnected from the networkwhen the changing portion changes the setting, the transmitter joiningthe network by being connected to the network when the notifying portionperforms the notification.
 25. A receiver connected to a network forreceiving setting information from a transmitter via the network, thereceiver comprising: an out-of-period determining portion determiningwhether or not notification has been received from a transmitter via anetwork; a time measurement portion starting time measurement when theout-of-period determining portion determines that notification has beenreceived; a within-period determining portion determining whether or nota further notification has been performed from the transmitter within apredetermined period from the start of the time measurement; arequesting portion requesting the transmitter to transmit settinginformation of the transmitter when the predetermined period has elapsedbased on time measurement by the time measurement portion; a requestcontrol portion controlling the requesting portion to fail to requestthe transmitter in response to the further notification; and a receivingportion receiving the setting information transmitted from thetransmitting portion.
 26. A transmission program to be executed by acomputer to operate as a transmitter connectable to a network fortransmitting to a receiver via the network setting informationspecifying the transmitter's own settings, the transmission programcomprising: a changing program changing a setting of the transmitter; anout-of-period determining program determining whether or not a settinghas been changed by said changing portion; a time measurement programstarting time measurement when the out-of-period determining programdetermines that a setting has been changed; a within-period determiningprogram determining s whether or not a further setting change has beenperformed by the changing program within a predetermined period from thestart of the time measurement: an updating program updating settinginformation when the within-period determining program determines that afurther setting change has been performed; and a transmitting programtransmitting the setting information to a receiver when it is determinedthat the predetermined period has elapsed based on the time measurementby the time measurement program.
 27. A reception program to be executedby a computer to operate as a receiver connected to a network forreceiving setting information from a transmitter via the network, thereception program comprising an out-of-period determining programdetermining whether or not notification has been received from atransmitter via a network; a time measurement program starting timemeasurement when the out-of-period determining program determines thatnotification has been received; a within-period determining programdetermining whether or not a further notification has been performedfrom the transmitter within a predetermined period from the start of thetime measurement; a requesting program requesting the transmitter to stransmit setting information of the transmitter when the predeterminedperiod has elapsed based on time measurement by the time measurementprogram; a request control program controlling the requesting program tofail to request the transmitter in response to the further notification;and a receiving program receiving the setting information transmittedfrom the transmitting program.